School Board: Let's Reduce Class Size By Five Next Year

Palm Beach County School Board members said Monday they were determined to reduce average class size by five students next year despite the estimated $40 million a year in personnel costs.

Board members have long said reducing class size was a priority, but have not made across-the-board decreases. Staff has always told the board there just wasn't enough money to attempt such a move.

Some elementary classrooms have swelled to more than 30 students each this year. High school students sometimes share their classrooms with more than 40 other students.

At Monday's budget workshop, board members said they wanted to cut class size by five students. Budget Director Cyndee Zeck said it would take $40 million in personnel costs alone. It would likely cost many millions more to build enough space for the extra classes.

"If this board decides it wants to lower class size by five, it can be done,'' said board member Art Johnson.

Coming up with the money won't be painless. One possibility discussed Monday is eliminating the seventh period at district high schools.

At most schools, students use the seventh period to take elective courses. But at some schools with special programs, such as Lake Worth High School's medical magnet program, the seventh period is needed for academics.

Cutting seventh period would save more than $9 million.

Diane Harris, principal at Boca Raton High School, grimaced at the thought of the loss, but said if it were handled creatively, there may be ways to save the money and save time for the elective courses that keep some students coming to school.

Board member Paulette Burdick said the board should plan public meetings at schools to let people know up front what they would have to give up to lower class sizes.

Since 1997-98, the average class size in kindergarten through second grade was cut by two students, the average class size in grades three through five was cut by 1.5 students, and the average in high school was cut by 0.5 student.

The board has also reduced kindergarten through second grade reading classes to 15 students per teacher and algebra classes to 20 students per teacher.

Average class sizes now stand at 26 students per teacher in kindergarten through grade 2, 29.5 students per teacher in grades three through eight, and 31 students per teacher in grades nine through 12.

Still, the district allows a maximum of 31 students in kindergarten through second grade and 35 students in grades three through six. Middle and high school students have no upper limit.

Kellie Patrick can be reached at kpatrick@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6629.